PONTIFICATE OF POPE FRANCIS - EURO COINS PROOF VERSION - YEAR 2017

The Philatelic and Numismatic Office of Vatican City presents the new series of euro coins in proof version for the year 2017. The series consists of eight values with the reverse side showing the same technical characteristics required for all countries adhering to the single European currency. The obverse side features the coat of arms of Pope Francis, Sovereign of Vatican City State, the text “Città del Vaticano” and twelve stars. The series is available in two versions, one in silver and the in other gold. The 20 euro silver coin features the archangels Gabriel, Raphael and Michael. The figures are shown defending the Child Jesus, since God became man and was born poor, defenseless, judged and rejected. The design by artist Antonella Napolione recalls the task of the archangels to defend human beings. The 50 euro gold coin with work by Gabriella Titotto represents the painting, Our Lady Untier of Knots, located in the church of St. Peter am Perlach in Augsburg, Germany. The artwork left a deep impression on Fr. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the future Pope, who saw it when travelling there and brought various reproductions of it to Argentina making it very popular among the faithful within a few years.